Acner.org: Acne treatment

Home Remedies for Zits and Acne

Home Remedies for Zits and Acne

Acne and zits appear when pores in the skin become clogged or dirty. Diet, stress levels, the environment and not keeping a clean face can all contribute to the appearance of these common skin problems. While there are many creams and medicines on the market to control or reduce acne, there are also numerous home remedies that can be tried without a visit the drug store.

Wheat Grass

Wheat grass can be grown at home or purchased at health food stores. It can also be made into a juice for easier intake. Wheat grass has numerous health benefits, including treatment of acne and acne scars. As early as 1940, the "American Journal of Surgery" had reported the healing power of wheat grass, recommending it for treatment of acne, saying that taking it regularly for seven to eight months would remove scars left behind by serious acne.

Mint Juice & Toothpaste

The application of mint juice to acne is a proven home remedy. Dabbing mint juice to the infected areas and leaving it there overnight usually results in the acne drying up and healing far quicker. Since mint juice is not that readily available, a viable alternative is toothpaste, although precautions are recommended. Toothpaste has the same base ingredient of mint that is the catalyst to the remedy found in mint juice. It is best to use more well-known brands of toothpaste, as off-brands often use different ingredients to cut costs. While mint juice can be left on the face overnight, toothpaste should be applied for no more than 30 minutes at a time, as it can over-dry skin and cause the skin to become very sensitive and itchy. Toothpaste should only be applied directly to areas of acne and not the rest of the skin.

Oatmeal & Honey

A staple of millions of Americans' breakfast can be used as an effective home remedy for both acne and overall facial skin health. Oatmeal possesses the properties of an exfoliate---a substance which removes the dead, outer-most skin cells. It also has the ability to absorb oil from the skin's surface and pores. To use oatmeal effectively, it should be prepared on a stove top according to the instructions on the package, and honey should be added to the mixture. An essential step is allowing the oatmeal to cool down to a manageable temperature. Then scoop it out and apply it to your face as if it were a mask. The inclusion of honey makes the oatmeal easier to mold into a mask and will also help tone the skin. The mask should be left on the face for 20 minutes and then removed.